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We are taxpayers and constituents in the state of Delaware, and we believe that the Delaware State Police, DelDOT and our elected officials work to serve the people of this state. To this point, Delaware Department of Transportation spokesman Geoff Sundstrom’s statement purely denying us our request by petition and as taxpayers without reasonable discussion is unacceptable; we will not be dismissed, and we are not going away.

This small 4-mile two-lane roadway does not by any means have a substantial effect on Delaware’s businesses. We are surrounded by several four-lane, wide-shoulder, alternative roads that will take you to the same destination with minimal difference in mileage. Truckers are creative, forward-thinking and will figure it out. Their only loss from this change will be a lack of anonymity, and they will again be subject to abide by Delaware traffic laws.

As one of many consultants working in the global business sector representing the state of Delaware, and having established solid trade relationships with the Delaware and Pennsylvania ports and transport companies, I cannot believe it factual that removing or limiting the tractor trailers from Del. 41/Newport Gap Pike will have major adverse effects on commerce in our state. If this very small strip of roadway is so vital to the state’s economy, why has its maintenance long been ignored and its level of service so poor?

The failure to uphold traffic laws on this stretch of roadway is marked by increasing anarchy and lawlessness by these heavy trucks. We are under constant threat of being held hostage in our homes.

Master Cpl. Jeffrey Hale of the Delaware State Police has said they are limited to enforcement, and placing officers on Del. 41 would endanger the lives of the officers. What does that say to the value and the safety of the taxpaying citizens who live along that stretch of road whose lives are at risk 24/7? If we can readily admit that these heavy trucks are endangering lives and safety, then why aren’t these trucks being rerouted? Focusing farther north in Hockessin, a four-lane highway, with turn lanes, wide shoulders and numerous traffic lights is not going to discourage these truckers, they are fully aware of checkpoints. This area is primarily a commercial district, and traffic violations are not routine. It is after the Del. 41/Del. 48 split that these drivers know they can make up lost time by running at excessive speeds and disregarding traffic lights.

During our town hall meeting on Nov. 10, we learned there is a 60-foot restriction on the length of tractor-trailers traveling on Del. 41/ Newport Gap Pike. There are no signs posting the law, and it’s not being enforced. We suggest this should be a joint effort between DelDOT and the Delaware State Police to invest and put up signs at the Delaware/Pennsylvania border and on Del. 141 to let trucks know that the restriction exists and is the law. If this law were regularly enforced, the ticket revenue alone would offset the investment for the signs.

Executive Director of Delaware Motor Transport Lee Derrickson stated that Del. 41 has always been an unofficial truck route for decades. If that’s the case, it is not an authorized, sanctioned truck route by the state of Delaware. That being said, we should take into consideration the 60-foot restriction law and deem this strip of road off limits and post a ban to heavy tractor-trailers.

DelDOT committed to and ordered new signs that were intended to redirect some of this truck traffic; however, the approximate 27 signs fell short of expectations by not specifying the new alternate route.

Our quest to prohibit access of tractor-trailers from Del. 41/Newport Gap Pike has not been an overnight decision, many of our taxpaying residents have been complaining about these very same issues for 20 and 30 years and feel that their voices are still not being heard. Delaware Department of Transportation refuses to take action, citing it’s responsibility of law enforcement. Delaware State Police refuses to take action citing this stretch of roadway is unsafe and endangers the lives of their officers. So where does that leave us, the taxpayers, the constituents, the resident citizens who are sadly caught in the middle?

Do not dismiss or make light of our determination; we are not giving up or going away. We will continue to fight for our right to safety, quality of life and the ability to sleep peacefully at night.